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The philharmonic screens its season opener for free
When: 8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.
Tickets: $19-$59; 520-7469, pikespeakcenter.org
Repertoire: Respighi's "Pines of Rome" and "Fountains of Rome," Rota's "Suite from La Strada," and Verdi's "Overture from The Sicilian Vespers"
'Screen on the Green:' As part of the Imagination Celebration's "What If...?" the Saturday night performance will be projected live on a giant 25-foot screen on the front lawn of the Pikes Peak Center. The performance is at 8 p.m., but you should get there early to claim your spot on the lawn. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, sweaters and jackets.
Editor's note: This column invites local organizations to write about aspects of upcoming events in their own words.
On a night in mid-August, a friend reflected on the past few months, sighing “I can’t wait for the summer to end.” A season of wildfire, senseless violence, divisive politics and sweltering drought took the place of Colorado Springs’ famously radiant, blue-skied summertime.
Summer 2012 was stolen from us, and I wanted it back.
So, on Saturday, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic will bring the majesty and joy of the "Pines of Rome," the philharmonic's opening concert for the 2012-13 season. But you don't have to be in Pikes Peak Center to enjoy it.
You can see it free of charge at the "Screen on the Green," a live, open-air screening of the concert on the lawn north of the Pikes Peak Center.
“Pines of Rome” marks the beginning of the Philharmonic’s first full season with music director Josep Caballé-Domenech. The night’s music is Italian, featuring the "Fountains of Rome" and "Pines of Rome" by Ottorino Respighi. Josep recently recorded both pieces with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and now he’s sharing them with Colorado Springs.
"Screen on the Green" offers some unique challenges for everyone onstage and backstage. We’re marrying the excitement of live performance with the choreography of broadcast to make sure that our friends on the lawn get a great experience. There’s special lighting to consider (brighter than normal), microphone and camera placement, “lanes” onstage for the camera guys to move around the musicians, and on and on. Oh, and it all has to be done without hindering the players’ musicianship or the audience’s enjoyment. Despite having the most talented, most dedicated musicians and crew, this is a killer challenge.
But if it works? Goosebumps.
And isn’t that worth the challenge? The philharmonic exists to deliver these powerful moments of inspiration. It’s the very thing the arts are called to do, and it’s a massive contribution to the quality of life in our community.
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Nathan Newbrough is the president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.
